In early 1951, federal court judge Johnson J. Hayes rendered a famous school funding decision in a case that had been brought by the Durham Committee on Negro Affairs and several black families in Durham.
This case, called Blue v. Durham, prevented the Durham City Schools from continuing the practice of allocating more funding for buildings, books, curriculum, and teachers for white schools than for black schools.
On Sunday, December 18, 2011, the Humanities Series of the Durham Public Library and the St. Joseph’s Historic Foundation will sponsor a program spotlighting the 60th anniversary of Blue v. Durham. The program will be held at the Hayti Heritage Center, 804 Old Fayetteville Street in Durham at 3:00 PM.
The legal success of Blue v. Durham served as a model for other communities across the state of North Carolina during the “separate-but-equal” era. Also, Blue v. Durham caused the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and other civil rights groups to take the next step, which was to appeal through the courts for full-fledged school integration.
The lead attorneys for the case were Durham’s John H. Wheeler and M. Hugh Thompson. They were assisted by a Richmond law firm that included Oliver W. Hill, Martin A. Martin, and Spotswood Robinson, III.
The attorney that led the defense of the Durham schools in the Blue case was William B. Umstead, who had served in the US Senate and the US House of Representatives. Umstead later was elected and served as Governor of North Carolina.
A year after the successful legal strategy that emerged during oral arguments in North Carolina, Hill, Martin, and Robinson applied many of the same 14th Amendment arguments in the Virginia case of Davis v. Prince Edward County.
At the appeal level, this case was one of the five individual lawsuits that the U.S. Supreme Court consolidated into what became the historic Brown v. Board of Topeka, Kansas. The Brown decision was unanimously rendered by the Supreme Court on May 17, 1954.
So, a strong argument can be made that the 1951 case of Blue v. Durham had a direct link to the landmark Brown v. Board Supreme Court case of 1954. In other words, … Blue led to Brown.
The program on December 18 will highlight the historic significance of the Blue case and will offer connections to the national advocacy for school integration in America. Also, the audience will have the opportunity to meet and interact with several of the actual plaintiffs from the Blue case.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Thursday, August 4, 2011
50th Anniversary of Vickers v Chapel Hill-Carrboro Schools
50 years ago today, on August 4, 1961, Federal Court Judge Edwin Stanley rendered an extremely important civil rights decision in the case of Vickers v Chapel Hill-Carrboro Schools. This case advanced the cause of equal access to public schools in Chapel Hill-Carrboro, in North Carolina, and across the Southeastern United States.
Stanley Vickers was a 10-year-old Negro resident of Carrboro when his parents requested that he attend the all-white Carrboro Elementary School, which was closer to his home than the all-black Northside Elementary School.
Even though several North Carolina school districts had already begun initial stages of integration as early as 1957, the Chapel Hill-Carrboro School Board voted 4-2 to deny this application by the Vickers family on August 3, 1959.
UNC Law School dean Henry Brandis and First Baptist Church pastor John Manley took a principled stand by voting in favor of allowing young Vickers to transfer to the white school. In fact, Dean Brandis actually resigned from the school board in protest of the denial of the requested transfer by the board majority.
Durham lawyers Conrad O. Pearson and William A. Marsh, along with the famous Thurgood Marshall, filed a federal lawsuit to seek justice and equity for the Vickers family. The school board was represented in this case by John Q. LeGrand and Thomas Ellis, who in later life, became a chief political consultant for Jesse Helms' political campaigns.
After winding its way through the legal maze of briefs, testimonies, and oral arguments, the United States District Court Judge Edwin Stanley concluded that Vickers was denied reassignment to an all-white school on account of his race and was entitled to be admitted to a previously all-white junior high school for the 1961-62 school term.
Judge Stanley's decision was handed down on Friday, August 4, 1961. Interestingly enough, this decision was rendered on the very same day that Barack Obama was born in Hawaii.
Stanley Vickers was a 10-year-old Negro resident of Carrboro when his parents requested that he attend the all-white Carrboro Elementary School, which was closer to his home than the all-black Northside Elementary School.
Even though several North Carolina school districts had already begun initial stages of integration as early as 1957, the Chapel Hill-Carrboro School Board voted 4-2 to deny this application by the Vickers family on August 3, 1959.
UNC Law School dean Henry Brandis and First Baptist Church pastor John Manley took a principled stand by voting in favor of allowing young Vickers to transfer to the white school. In fact, Dean Brandis actually resigned from the school board in protest of the denial of the requested transfer by the board majority.
Durham lawyers Conrad O. Pearson and William A. Marsh, along with the famous Thurgood Marshall, filed a federal lawsuit to seek justice and equity for the Vickers family. The school board was represented in this case by John Q. LeGrand and Thomas Ellis, who in later life, became a chief political consultant for Jesse Helms' political campaigns.
After winding its way through the legal maze of briefs, testimonies, and oral arguments, the United States District Court Judge Edwin Stanley concluded that Vickers was denied reassignment to an all-white school on account of his race and was entitled to be admitted to a previously all-white junior high school for the 1961-62 school term.
Judge Stanley's decision was handed down on Friday, August 4, 1961. Interestingly enough, this decision was rendered on the very same day that Barack Obama was born in Hawaii.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Pardon Gov. W.W. Holden
In respectful consideration of Wyatt Outlaw, John Stephens, and many unnamed citizens who were murdered, maimed, or otherwise prevented from enjoying the rights of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution during the Reconstruction Era, I encourage the 2011 General Assembly to support efforts to repeal the impeachment and removal of Gov. W.W. Holden.
Some opponents to the proposed repeal will mention the limitations on the writ of habeas corpus in two counties. However, I appreciate the political dilemma that Gov. Holden faced when citizens were being openly assassinated and abused on town squares and in courthouses by racist vigilantes.
Should the Governor have permitted open lawlessness or should he have enforced legal avenues to quell the violence?
The current legislative proposal goes a long way to correct the grave injustices that were inflicted upon citizens and upon Gov. Holden. I hope that historians whose goal was to "redeem" the Confederacy will not be the major influence on the current legislators.
Some opponents to the proposed repeal will mention the limitations on the writ of habeas corpus in two counties. However, I appreciate the political dilemma that Gov. Holden faced when citizens were being openly assassinated and abused on town squares and in courthouses by racist vigilantes.
Should the Governor have permitted open lawlessness or should he have enforced legal avenues to quell the violence?
The current legislative proposal goes a long way to correct the grave injustices that were inflicted upon citizens and upon Gov. Holden. I hope that historians whose goal was to "redeem" the Confederacy will not be the major influence on the current legislators.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Happy Birthday, Ella Baker
If she had not died on her birthday (December 13, 1986) civil rights leader and Shaw University graduate, Ella Baker, would have turned 107 years old today. She was born in Norfolk, Virginia, but reared in Littleton, North Carolina before graduating from Shaw at the top of her class in 1927.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Happy 175th Birthday, Hugh Cale
Today, November 27, 2010, is the 175th anniversary of the birth of Hugh Cale. Mr. Cale was a Pasquotank County, North Carolina legislator who introduced the bill that led to the founding of what is now Elizabeth City State University.
In addition to serving as a member of the North Carolina General Assembly in the late-1800, Mr. Cale rendered service to the Pasquotank County Board of Commissioners and the Elizabeth City Board of Education. He also served as the Treasurer of Elizabeth City and numerous other positions.
Happy Birthday, Hugh Cale.
In addition to serving as a member of the North Carolina General Assembly in the late-1800, Mr. Cale rendered service to the Pasquotank County Board of Commissioners and the Elizabeth City Board of Education. He also served as the Treasurer of Elizabeth City and numerous other positions.
Happy Birthday, Hugh Cale.
Monday, July 26, 2010
A Commentary on Hugh Cale
(Originally published in the DAILY ADVANCE of Elizabeth City, NC on July 22, 2010)
Today marks 100 years since the passing of one of the most prominent citizens in the history of Pasquotank County.
Hugh Cale died in Elizabeth City on July 22, 1910. Interestingly enough, later this year, November 27, 2010, will mark the 175th anniversary of Cale's birth.
Cale's life (1835-1910) spans the exact same 75 years as the renowned writer Mark Twain. Twain famously said that he arrived with Halley's Comet and he expected to depart with it. He did, and so did Hugh Cale.
Although Hugh Cale is most famous for being the General Assembly member who introduced and shepherded the state legislation that led to the establishment of what is now Elizabeth City State University, he served the citizens of Pasquotank County in numerous other civic and governmental capacities.
He was elected Treasurer of Elizabeth City. He served two terms on the Pasquotank County Board of Commissioners. The present courthouse was erected during his second term on the Commission.
He also was an Elizabeth City School District Committeeman and served as a member of the local Board of Education. He was one of the 1888 petitioners for Elizabeth City’s first fire engine, “Inez,” which has been restored and currently is on exhibit at the Museum of the Albemarle.
In addition to these elected positions, Hugh Cale was a grocer, a realtor, a justice of the peace, a grand juror, and a delegate to several Republican National Conventions.
All of this took place during an era when, according to the July 30 1910 edition of The Tar Heel Weekly, this black politician paid an enormous personal and financial toll in order to
gain the political capital and access to public service.
Even with this access, Hugh Cale could not prevent the 1898 legislative acts and the 1900 amendment to the North Carolina Constitution that, in effect, disenfranchised
the majority of African-Americans in our state until the civil rights acts of 1964 and 1965.
Although a rather short man, Hugh Cale stood tall for Pasquotank County citizens of all races. He was a strong Republican, but he worked across the aisle to support bills that were good for all of the people of the county, the region, and the state.
Even so, the 1910-era journalists at The Tar Heel Weekly, who were undoubtedly intending to be complimentary, began an extended newspaper story of his death with a reference to Cale as a “rather picturesque darky."
Despite the limitations that were placed on his life in the late 1800s and the early 1900s, Hugh Cale ranks among the most versatile and influential public servants in the annals of Pasquotank County history. However, 100 years later, the commemoration of his life and works appears to continue to be segregated and mainly relegated to the African-American segment of the overall Pasquotank County community.
The calendar year of 2010 presents the multi-ethnic citizens of Pasquotank County with an opportunity to reach out and embrace the legacy of Hugh Cale. I propose that the county commissioners’ meeting room at the courthouse be named for Mr. Cale. Such a tribute can serve as a visible acknowledgement of the community-wide embrace of the legacy of Hugh Cale on the rich grounds of the seat of county government.
Perhaps this honor can be bestowed upon Hugh Cale sometime before the 175th anniversary of his birth on November 27, 2010.
Eddie Davis
Today marks 100 years since the passing of one of the most prominent citizens in the history of Pasquotank County.
Hugh Cale died in Elizabeth City on July 22, 1910. Interestingly enough, later this year, November 27, 2010, will mark the 175th anniversary of Cale's birth.
Cale's life (1835-1910) spans the exact same 75 years as the renowned writer Mark Twain. Twain famously said that he arrived with Halley's Comet and he expected to depart with it. He did, and so did Hugh Cale.
Although Hugh Cale is most famous for being the General Assembly member who introduced and shepherded the state legislation that led to the establishment of what is now Elizabeth City State University, he served the citizens of Pasquotank County in numerous other civic and governmental capacities.
He was elected Treasurer of Elizabeth City. He served two terms on the Pasquotank County Board of Commissioners. The present courthouse was erected during his second term on the Commission.
He also was an Elizabeth City School District Committeeman and served as a member of the local Board of Education. He was one of the 1888 petitioners for Elizabeth City’s first fire engine, “Inez,” which has been restored and currently is on exhibit at the Museum of the Albemarle.
In addition to these elected positions, Hugh Cale was a grocer, a realtor, a justice of the peace, a grand juror, and a delegate to several Republican National Conventions.
All of this took place during an era when, according to the July 30 1910 edition of The Tar Heel Weekly, this black politician paid an enormous personal and financial toll in order to
gain the political capital and access to public service.
Even with this access, Hugh Cale could not prevent the 1898 legislative acts and the 1900 amendment to the North Carolina Constitution that, in effect, disenfranchised
the majority of African-Americans in our state until the civil rights acts of 1964 and 1965.
Although a rather short man, Hugh Cale stood tall for Pasquotank County citizens of all races. He was a strong Republican, but he worked across the aisle to support bills that were good for all of the people of the county, the region, and the state.
Even so, the 1910-era journalists at The Tar Heel Weekly, who were undoubtedly intending to be complimentary, began an extended newspaper story of his death with a reference to Cale as a “rather picturesque darky."
Despite the limitations that were placed on his life in the late 1800s and the early 1900s, Hugh Cale ranks among the most versatile and influential public servants in the annals of Pasquotank County history. However, 100 years later, the commemoration of his life and works appears to continue to be segregated and mainly relegated to the African-American segment of the overall Pasquotank County community.
The calendar year of 2010 presents the multi-ethnic citizens of Pasquotank County with an opportunity to reach out and embrace the legacy of Hugh Cale. I propose that the county commissioners’ meeting room at the courthouse be named for Mr. Cale. Such a tribute can serve as a visible acknowledgement of the community-wide embrace of the legacy of Hugh Cale on the rich grounds of the seat of county government.
Perhaps this honor can be bestowed upon Hugh Cale sometime before the 175th anniversary of his birth on November 27, 2010.
Eddie Davis
Monday, March 29, 2010
Solo Performance of "INCONGNITO" By Michael Fosberg
The Saturday, March 27, 2010 performance of Incognito at Durham's Carolina Theatre was masterfully done. Michael Fosberg was able to weave his parents, his grandparents, and his friends, into a solo performance that allowed the audience to feel that each of these individuals was alive and speaking on stage. His personal story seemed to be understood and appreciated by all segments of the multi-racial audience.
The telephone call with his father was the high point of the play for me. It was at that moment that Fosberg learned that his father is an African-American. In that powerful exchange, Fosberg was able to bounce the audience back and forth between the rich emotions of this initial and revelatory son-father conversation.
I loved Fosberg's descriptive language. In addition, his facial expressions gave life to the sensory images of his black grandparents home. The smells of home cooking, the sights of family photos, and even the requisite placement of copies of Ebony and Jet made that Virginia Beach setting come alive through language.
He conjured up images of Roxbury-Boston, of California beaches, of Chicago suburbs, of Hollywood, of Detroit automaking, of Norfolk State University, of James Brown, of the Inkwell on Martha's Vineyard, of Armenian-American history, of African-American history, of AMERICAN HISTORY.
Above all else, Fosberg shared a deep and abiding love for all segments of his multi-faceted family. The play allowed the audience to get to know the joys and the flaws of each character. As with members of all families, the love that exists trumps most of the failed expectations of these human beings.
I hope you can see Michael Sidney Fosberg perform Incognito some time in the future. This kinsman is very talented.
The telephone call with his father was the high point of the play for me. It was at that moment that Fosberg learned that his father is an African-American. In that powerful exchange, Fosberg was able to bounce the audience back and forth between the rich emotions of this initial and revelatory son-father conversation.
I loved Fosberg's descriptive language. In addition, his facial expressions gave life to the sensory images of his black grandparents home. The smells of home cooking, the sights of family photos, and even the requisite placement of copies of Ebony and Jet made that Virginia Beach setting come alive through language.
He conjured up images of Roxbury-Boston, of California beaches, of Chicago suburbs, of Hollywood, of Detroit automaking, of Norfolk State University, of James Brown, of the Inkwell on Martha's Vineyard, of Armenian-American history, of African-American history, of AMERICAN HISTORY.
Above all else, Fosberg shared a deep and abiding love for all segments of his multi-faceted family. The play allowed the audience to get to know the joys and the flaws of each character. As with members of all families, the love that exists trumps most of the failed expectations of these human beings.
I hope you can see Michael Sidney Fosberg perform Incognito some time in the future. This kinsman is very talented.
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